Robert Nozick, who died five years ago, wondered, If death is not extinction, what might it be like?
Although his reflections were inconclusive, he suggested a seductive maxim: First, imagine what form of immortality would be perfect. Second, live your life right now as if that was true.
The first rain of the monsoon season is as close to magic as we get in the desert. As of Monday it had been 86 days since we'd had "measureable precipitation" which was a few drops at Sky Harbor; nothing here in the southeast valley.
Early Monday evening, what looked like a ginormous brown waterfall loomed across the entire southeast, coming toward us like something Spielbergistical. Then it was upon us, engulfing us, smothering, so thick we could scarcely see the house across the street. The sun was enough above the horizon that the weird, soupy thickness of it turned from brown to umber to sienna to black cat-in-a-coal bin. Flashes of lightnng from the southwest, but the blizzard was so thick we heard nothing; just a suffocating stillness.
Then the rain began. Steady, dense, vertical, magic. We stood outside, no words, taking it in. The desert was silent except for the raindrops, as if it had caught its breath, unbelieving. All the plants exploded with perfumes - me! over here! hellllloooooo!!! I'm ready for anyone who will take me!
The scents, aromas, if they had been a color would have been a lurid crimson. We inhaled breath after deep breath, holding hands, amazed that rain had come once again, that we had been here to experience magic.
Today at our house it was 114.8. Friday we head up to the cabin for four days, where the forecast is Frequent Thunderstorms. C'mon Mickey, wave your big hand faster.
Didn't we just return from vacation? Maybe this is the way it's supposed to be; one week of work, one week away.
Heading west to San Diego tomorrow morning with the weezies - oh, yeah, and their legal guardians. Two adjoining condos right on the beach. From 116 here yesterday to predicted highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid 60s. For a whole week.
This should be fun.
How rare is it that this man speaks the truth? Or knows what is going to happen? Or even has a clue about what is happening? The 2008 presidential election is the Democrats' to lose. I suppose it's entirely possible Cheney will refuse to leave, since he's his own branch of government anyway.
We had a terrific inaugural visit to the cabin; only broke a couple of small, non-essential things. Two sets of friends came to visit. Looks like a predictable -20 degree temperature differential from our 1265' elevation to the cabin's 6400'. We found a great little lake about six miles from the cabin where we can take the kids to splash around, and wonder of wonders, the Circle K eight miles toward Show Low carries the Sunday Times! Ise astonished. This place is that rarity that ends up being even better than we had hoped. Can't wait to get back up.
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